The Connemara Giant
The Connemara Giant
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About
The Connemara Giant is a very well preserved late 20th century antiquity. It is said to embody the God of Connemara. Known locally as ‘The Connemara Giant’ The name Connemara derives from ‘Conn Son of the Sea’ An interesting feature of the monument is the local tale that states if you touch the giants hand (the one holding the stone) you will be blessed with the knowledge of his ancient tribe This continuing tradition is colloquially known as touching the hand of knowledge. And to this day local school kids will touoch the hand to give them luck before an exam.
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4.0
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CeannCabaiste
Limoges, France425 contributions
Aug 2019
Nice statue. Stop for a look if you're driving past. But I wouldn't go out of my way to see it as it is of no historical or cultural interest. It is funny, however, as it's just here to get people to stop and hopefully visit the craft shop across the road (the owners put the statue there I believe). So a great bit of marketing there.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catarina M
Lisbon, Portugal44 contributions
Nov 2019
I loved the humor behind this statue! The view is also nice. If you are doing the Connemara loop, make sure to stop by this viewpoint just to have a good laugh.
Written 21 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland11,390 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
The Connenara Giant is well worth a stop. It's located in Recess opposite Joyce's on the main Oughterard to Clifden Road not far from Maam Cross.
The statue is really cool, exactly as it says in the title- a stone giant crouched on a plinth. The inscription is hilarious that it was erected for no reason whatsoever on a site/date where nothing happened!!!
Great views across the water behind him. Really big layby to pull in, earth a photostop definitely.
The statue is really cool, exactly as it says in the title- a stone giant crouched on a plinth. The inscription is hilarious that it was erected for no reason whatsoever on a site/date where nothing happened!!!
Great views across the water behind him. Really big layby to pull in, earth a photostop definitely.
Written 26 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronan Gearoid O
Dublin, Ireland115 contributions
May 2013 • Business
The monument to Conn son of the sea, after whom Conamara is supposedly named.While the monument and its caption are witty it is otherwise not worth stopping. The gift shop across the road claims to be the best one in the region but few people seem to go into it. Recess or Sraith Salach has no toilet facilities and the folk there would not be the friendliest.
Written 2 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ogilvie56
Sydney, Australia63 contributions
Oct 2019
Simply a sculpture that has no significance to the area! Across the road from the Craft Shop (which was closed the day we wemt).
Written 8 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mk1825
Okeechobee, FL185 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
This is great! Must see the giant and read the plaque! The gift shop and pub are right across the street for when you have finally caught your breath!
Written 25 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IrishLass61
28 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
On one of our previous bi-annual trips to Ireland, I saw a postcard of the Connemara Giant in a shop in Clifden and wondered how we could have missed this landmark on our previous trips to the region. We set out to find the legendary Giant and were delighted to discover this "20th Century Antiquity" on N59 near Recess.
Local legend says that if you touch the hand of the Connemara Giant you will be blessed with the knowledge of his ancient tribe. We actually were blessed with the gift of laughter due to someone's remarkable sense of humor.
On this (our 3rd) visit, we were fortunate enough to run into Mark Joyce, the creator of our friendly Giant, inside Joyce's Craft Shop when we stopped by to say farewell to our favorite Giant prior to leaving Connemara. When my mom excitedly discovered who Mark was, she asked for a photo with him inside the shop to avoid disrupting his business. He instead offered her the chance to be photographed with him and his creation (one of the benefits of owning the business was being able to leave whenever he wanted, he told us jokingly). The photo is lovely, the memory even better.
Thanks Mark - I've included the photo of you and my 87 year old Mum (Pat Butch). You made our day and have become a legend in the Butch family!
Local legend says that if you touch the hand of the Connemara Giant you will be blessed with the knowledge of his ancient tribe. We actually were blessed with the gift of laughter due to someone's remarkable sense of humor.
On this (our 3rd) visit, we were fortunate enough to run into Mark Joyce, the creator of our friendly Giant, inside Joyce's Craft Shop when we stopped by to say farewell to our favorite Giant prior to leaving Connemara. When my mom excitedly discovered who Mark was, she asked for a photo with him inside the shop to avoid disrupting his business. He instead offered her the chance to be photographed with him and his creation (one of the benefits of owning the business was being able to leave whenever he wanted, he told us jokingly). The photo is lovely, the memory even better.
Thanks Mark - I've included the photo of you and my 87 year old Mum (Pat Butch). You made our day and have become a legend in the Butch family!
Written 7 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniela C
Cork, Ireland212 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
Connemara, what a place! The landscapes are stunning – rugged coastline, green hills, and calm lakes. The Connemara National Park with Diamond Hill's viewpoint is a must-visit. Hiking up offers amazing panoramic views. The villages are charming, and the locals are welcoming. Don't miss the Connemara Giant rock formation, it adds to the area's allure. If you're into nature and culture, Connemara should be on your list. It's a true Irish gem that leaves a mark.
Written 17 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SaucyDrJesus
Longview, TX28 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This was a fun stop on our way to Recess. I would agree with previous reviews that this doesn’t warrant a special trip, but if you are in the area it is a must stop. The plaque behind the state is great!
Written 7 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnmM754OI
Chesterfield, MO790 contributions
May 2022
This statue is very neat, and seems appropriate in this area of Connemara. Not worth driving too far out of one's way, but worth a quick stop to admire.
Written 25 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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